(Photo taken of icon gifted to me by St. Francis In the Field parish.)

Recently I was in a conversation with a friend, who expressed that he vacillates between two different ways of relating to me: blunt assertiveness or drawing back with a very passive stance.

I understand where he is coming from. But something about his assertion doesn’t ring true. Are there really only two options in how we relate with one another? Taking a step back, it is not hard to see the limitations of such a view. How about considering a third option? What if we were to agree to stop dancing that same old tiresome two-step? What if we were to try something new? And then, if that doesn’t work, to try something else?

There is nothing like that feeling of being set free after feeling confined and restricted by a habitual way of being in the world, of being with others. That’s not to say the new way isn’t pretty daunting at times. That’s not to say the new way won’t bring it’s own set of challenges. But, how wonderful it is to discover a third way – and to sense the possibility of limitless options if only we open ourselves to them.

My prayer this day is for courage, wisdom and possibility. My prayer is for inspiration and new dance steps, for the willingness to experiment with new ways of being on this new day. I pray for a renewed sense of hospitality and adventure and the grace and joy to allow each of us to try out new dance steps in a spirit of humility, tolerance and joy.